Country star Chris Stapleton is getting mostly positive reviews for his performance of the U.S. national anthem ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LVII.
“Wow,” tweeted last year’s anthem singer Mickey Guyton. “You killed the National Anthem! Congrats my friend.”
Pop star P!nk, who performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl in 2018, tweeted: "My good lord - you and Whitney own the national anthem. Forever and ever.”
Stapleton’s simple and emotional version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which was interpreted in ASL by Oscar winner Tory Kotsur, had some players (and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni) in tears.
Stapleton is the third consecutive country singer to deliver the national anthem at a Super Bowl, following Guyton last year and Eric Church (with Jazmine Sullivan) in 2021. Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood are among the country artists who have previously done the anthem.
Also before the big game, Sheryl Lee Ralph performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Babyface delivered “America the Beautiful.”
Watch Stapleton's performance below: